Artists and creatives face innumerable challenges given that their career path often doesn’t come with a playbook, a steady paycheck or any form of safety net. It’s definitely not easy and so we asked a few of the artists and creatives we admire to talk to us about why they chose to pursue an artistic or creative career.

Syndenn Sweet | Author, Musician, Artist & Luthier

My name is Syndenn Sweet, I am an Author, Visual Artist, Luthier, Radio Personality, Multi-instrumentalist, Singer/ Song writer and Poet. I also am the Co-owner of Sad Salad Studios, a Recording studio located in the heart of Tucson, Arizona. Something important to know about me is I am completely deaf in one ear and suffer from Ménière’s disease, so as a musician that can be very frustrating and sometimes impossible to create. Read more>>

Skyler Dunfey | Metalsmith & Jewelry Designer

I’ve been making jewelry ever since I can remember. At age 10, I started my first jewelry business selling beaded necklaces alongside my lemonade stand on a small island off the coast of Massachusetts. Through high school, I attended “metalsmithing club” every Wednesday afternoon and quickly developed a love for the craft while also working as an assistant bench jeweler in Portland, Maine. Around this time, a mentor planted the seed that learning these skills could change my life. She was right. Read more>>

Emily Mosby | Freelance Makeup Artist

Not many people know this – but I originally went to school for nursing and dental hygiene! I had always envisioned myself in the health industry. I also always had this weird lingering feeling that I would disappoint my parents if I didn’t go to college and get a degree with a lifelong career. But – after taking the HESI (nursing exam) and retaking all my science courses to get my GPA higher, I finally decided after LONG nights of studying and crying, that I actually did NOT want to pursue either of those careers. Read more>>

Auzzy Blood | Freak Show Artist

I choose to pursue an artistic career because I didn’t want to live a normal boring life creating a routine to live by and fall into day by day. After I began school to become a medical assistant I asked myself if I wanted to work for a doctor the rest of my life or film wanted to have an adventure. I chose the adventure mainly because I was inspired by another individual to start stepping outside my comfort zone and doing different things to push my own personal boundaries. Through doing this I began to inspire others to do the same and step outside their comfort zones no matter the boundaries placed before them especially the judgmental ones created by the social standards of today. Pursuing an artistic career allowed me to do something I love also while expanding my variety of skill sets from performing to marketing and even digital design. Read more>>

Jane Weissner | Wreath Designer

After completing my Bachelor Degree in December 2016, I decided to take a break from college. The following year in Fall 2017 I wanted a Halloween Wreath on my door. I wanted it big and colorful. So I decided to make one following a video I found online. I received so many compliments that my friends and relatives encouraged me to make a few for Valentines Day. I opened an Etsy site in 2018 and started selling Valentines wreaths. I was so happy that people liked them and with the overwhelming responses and family encouragement I then started making Easter and Patriotic wreaths. They all started selling. Read more>>